Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Transport the status and estimated commencement and completion dates for Luas line BX/D, phases two and three of the western rail corridor, the Dublin rail interconnector, metro west, the Lucan Luas and the railway safety programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13684/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The start and completion dates for projects which are yet to commence construction, including Metro West, Luas Line BX/D, Lucan Luas, phases two and three of the western rail corridor and the DART underground, will be determined as appropriate by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the funding available during the current difficult economic climate. The provision of increased capacity will be a key consideration in determining public transport investment priorities in the period ahead. In that context, the DART Underground and Metro North, are particularly important rail investments as they form a core part of the planned integrated public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area envisaged by Transport 21.

With regard to the railway safety programme, the first and second Railway Safety Programmes were completed over two five-year periods 1999-2003 and 2004-2008 respectively. A Task Force on Railway Safety is currently meeting to finalise the third Railway Safety Programme which will run over the five-year period 2009-2013. I expect to receive the Report of the Task Force shortly.